Building smart traffic control

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method and system for vehicular traffic control and vehicle routing includes receiving a request for a best route, at a central system. The request including a current location and a destination from a requesting vehicle. Travel factors from the current location to the destination are determined. The travel factors include road availability, traffic conditions, and real time feedback, using the central system in response to receiving the request. The best route is determined for the requesting vehicle from the current location to the destination based on the travel factors, and real time feedback of the traffic conditions. The method and system includes initiating a plurality of traffic control actions along the route for the requesting vehicle. The traffic control actions are initiated along the route simultaneously and in concert with the requesting vehicle to clear the best route for the requesting vehicle to travel unobstructed to the destination.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/870,123, filed Sep. 30, 2015.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method andsystem for vehicular traffic control and routing for a vehicle. In oneexample, maneuvering one or more emergency vehicles through traffic canhave many challenges. For example, traffic conditions can be prohibitivefor traveling, and in a city environment, gridlock can occur. Suchproblems can be more prevalent in a city environment. However, even lesscongested areas than in a city can have periods of high traffic (e.g.,rush hour traffic, or an event that results in high traffic areas). Inone example, traffic impediments for emergency vehicles can include, forexample, slow response time to an emergency call. Emergency personnelbeing present on the scene of an emergency in the least time possiblecan reduce fatalities and the extent of injuries. Slow response timescan be caused, for example, by slow moving traffic, traffic congestion,gridlock, and poor routing from a starting location to the scene of anemergency. Typical methods of clearing traffic for emergency vehicles(e.g., using a siren) are not as effective as is desirable, especiallyin heavy traffic (e.g., gridlock) or when more than one emergencyvehicles intersect routes.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, a computer-implementedmethod for vehicular traffic control and vehicle routing includesreceiving a request for a best route, at a central system. The requestincluding a current location and a destination from a requestingvehicle. Travel factors from the current location to the destination aredetermined. The travel factors include road availability, trafficconditions, and real time feedback, using the central system in responseto receiving the request. The best route is determined for therequesting vehicle from the current location to the destination based onthe travel factors, and real time feedback of the traffic conditions.The method includes initiating a plurality of traffic control actionsalong the route for the requesting vehicle. The traffic control actionsare initiated along the route simultaneously and in concert with therequesting vehicle to clear the best route for the requesting vehicle totravel unobstructed to the destination.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computerprogram product for vehicular traffic control and vehicle routingincludes a computer readable storage medium having program instructionsembodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not atransitory signal per se. The program instructions are executable by acomputer to cause the computer to perform a method, including: receivinga request for a best route, at a central system, the request including acurrent location and a destination from a requesting vehicle;determining travel factors from the current location to the destination,the travel factors including road availability, traffic conditions, andreal time feedback, using the central system in response to receivingthe request; determining the best route for the requesting vehicle fromthe current location to the destination based on the travel factors, andreal time feedback of the traffic conditions; and initiating a pluralityof traffic control actions along the route for the requesting vehicle,the traffic control actions being initiated along the routesimultaneously and in concert with the requesting vehicle to clear thebest route for the requesting vehicle to travel unobstructed to thedestination.

In another embodiment according to the present invention, a trafficcontrol system for vehicular traffic control and vehicle routingincludes a computer system comprising: one or more computer processors,one or more computer-readable storage media, and program instructionsstored on one or more of the computer-readable storage media forexecution by at least one of the one or more processors. The programinstructions including: receiving a request for a best route, at acentral system, the request including a current location and adestination from a requesting vehicle; determining travel factors fromthe current location to the destination, the travel factors includingroad availability, traffic conditions, and real time feedback, using thecentral system in response to receiving the request; determining thebest route for the requesting vehicle from the current location to thedestination based on the travel factors, and real time feedback of thetraffic conditions; and initiating a plurality of traffic controlactions along the route for the requesting vehicle, the traffic controlactions being initiated along the route simultaneously and in concertwith the requesting vehicle to clear the best route for the requestingvehicle to travel unobstructed to the destination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings. The various features of the drawings arenot to scale as the illustrations are for clarity in facilitating oneskilled in the art in understanding the invention in conjunction withthe detailed description. The drawing are discussed forthwith below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an overview of a systemand methodology for vehicular traffic control and vehicle routingaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for vehicular trafficcontrol and vehicle routing using the system shown in FIG. 1, accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram depicting the functionally of asystem for vehicular traffic control and vehicle routing according tothe method and system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting vehicles and vehicle routingaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting vehicles and vehicle routingaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a system 10 and method 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure for a computer implemented methodand system for vehicular traffic control and vehicle routing. One ormore embodiments of the system and the method of the present disclosureare depicted according to a functional system 200, shown in FIG. 3.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method 100 includesreceiving a request 212 for a best route 214, at a central system 70 (atblock 108) from a requesting vehicle 50 which sent the request (at block104). The request 212 and the best route 214 are depicted in thefunctional system 200 shown in FIG. 3. The request includes a currentlocation 204 and a destination 208 for the requesting vehicle. In oneexample, the requesting vehicle can be referred to as a priorityvehicle, which can refer to any vehicle (and occupant(s)) that requireprioritization on the roadway. For example, an emergency vehicle (e.g.,fire truck, police car, ambulance), a high ranking official that mayneed an escort, or any other situation where a person and vehicle needsto be prioritized for many reasons, for example, security, trafficconsiderations, health emergency, emergency event, or an event regardinga declared state of emergency. The requesting vehicle 50 can include adevice 54 displaying or mapping the current location and destinationswithin a map of the vicinity.

The central system 70 can also be referred to as a central commandsystem (CCS) (or center). The central system can be embodied as acommand center for an area, including a city, town, or municipality. Thecentral system can also be a remote system that services locationsanywhere in a country or the world. The method and system of the presentembodiments can be embodied as a software program which stands alone andinteracts with a Global Positioning System (GPS), or is an add-on orintegral with an existing GPS system. The method of the presentdisclosure can also be embodied as a software program, for example, avehicular routing software application 72. The software program can alsobe accessed remotely, for example at a remote server 90, or as aservice. A client version 73 of the vehicular routing softwareapplication can be run on the device 54 in the requesting vehicle 50.

The request 212 from the requesting vehicle 50 can be sent and receivedusing wireless technology via a communications system embodied ascommunications network 60, which can include, for example, the Internet,a telephone system, or a wide area network. Wireless receivers andtransmitters are included in the requesting vehicle and at the centralsystem for communications therebetween.

The method 100 includes determining travel factors 220 from the currentlocation 204 to the destination 208, as in block 112. The travel factorscan include for example, road availability, traffic conditions, and realtime feedback. Using the central system in response to receiving therequest, the central system can determine the travel factors. Forexample, such factors can be accessed using the Internet, city trafficcontrol, or GPS systems, weather services, traffic services.

The central system can determine the best route for the requestingvehicle from the current location to the destination based on the travelfactors, as in block 116. The determination can include real timefeedback of the traffic conditions. The real time feedback can be, forexample, using mounted cameras from the requesting vehicle itself, othervehicles in the vicinity of the requesting vehicle (for example, otheremergency vehicles), or from traffic cameras 239 or the like. Thedetermination of the best route can be made using an algorithm or arouting algorithm, and using analytics, as in block 120.

For example, the streets and avenues of the city can be represented as anetwork graph with nodes representing intersections and streets/avenueslabeled at the edges of the graph. Each edge label can be associatedwith a cost that can be related to current traffic flow for example. Ifan emergency vehicle is travelling in a certain path, edge labelscorresponding to the paths may be considered a higher cost. The cost canbe considered when determining a best route. This data can be used in ananalytical calculation for the next emergency vehicle's best route. Inone instance, after an emergency vehicle passes a certain segment of itspath (for example, when it crosses an interaction), the cost of thecompleted segment is reset by removing any cost that was added as aresult of the priority vehicle (e.g., emergency vehicle) passing thesegment.

Other factors can be used when determining a best route, such as, thelikelihood of being able to clear an intersection or path, at a certaintime of day, or due to weather conditions, or an event, which couldinclude a traffic accident or road condition. The availability oftraffic signs to detour traffic, type of road (e.g., highway or localroad), road conditions, other events in the vicinity, as well as otherpriority vehicles in the vicinity, can also be factors in determining abest route.

In one example, two or more requesting vehicles in the same vicinity(e.g., emergency vehicles in the same vicinity) can request best routesto respective destinations (block 124). The same vicinity would includethe two requesting vehicles crossing into each other's path whentraversing from their present location to their respective destinations.The central system can determine the best route for both requestingvehicles including avoidance between the two vehicles, as in block 128.The method proceeds to block 132 from block 128. If there are not two ormore requesting vehicles in the same vicinity, the method proceeds toblock 132.

The method 100 includes initiating a plurality of traffic controlactions 74 along the best route for the requesting vehicle. The bestroute can include one or more evasive actions. The evasive actions caninclude avoiding a traffic issue to provide the best route to thedestination. The traffic control actions are initiated along the routesimultaneously and in concert with the requesting vehicle to clear thebest route for the requesting vehicle to travel unobstructed to thedestination, as in block 132.

The traffic control actions 74 can include, for example, requesting atraffic signal 232 to change or remain red or green. The traffic controlaction can include initiating one or more traffic control signs toinitiate the traffic control actions for requiring vehicles along theroute to move in a prescribed direction. The traffic control systems orsigns 230 can be in addition to traffic signals and typical trafficsigns and mounted adjacent to a traffic signal or on a signal post oralong a road side. The traffic control sign is responsive to the centralsystem. Thus, the traffic control sign may not be part of a town's orcity's typical traffic control system. The traffic control sign can bepart of an exclusive system with the central system to provide trafficcontrol as described herein. In another example, one or more trafficcontrol signs can have a duel use for typical or normal trafficconditions, and additionally be used by the central system. The centralsystem can access and control the traffic control sign on demand and beable to override the traffic control sign(s), to provide traffic controlfor a requesting vehicle (e.g., an emergency vehicle). The centralsystem can directly control the traffic control sign(s) so that trafficpatterns can be manipulated at will, in a prescribed manner and timed toadjust traffic flow to accommodate the requesting vehicle(s). Thetraffic control signs can include signals for the vehicles to exit aroad, or for the vehicles to stop, or for the vehicles to take analternate route, or for the vehicles to slow down.

One example of the method and system of the present disclosure mayinclude timing when a requesting vehicles will arrive at an intersectionor area, and timing the vehicles control for the requesting vehicle'sarrival. In another example, a request for a best route requiringtraffic control may include initiating traffic control by the centralsystem while determining when a requesting vehicle will approach avicinity for the best possible result when the requesting vehicleapproaches a heavily traveled area.

In another example, the central system can receive multiple requests forrespective routes. Each of the requests includes the current locationand the destination from respective multiple requesting vehicles. Thecentral system will determine the route for each of the requestingvehicles based on the travel factors, and initiate the plurality oftraffic control actions along each of the routes for the respectiverequesting vehicles.

Referring to FIG. 4, an avoidance situation 300 is shown when tworequesting vehicles, a first vehicle 320 and a second vehicle 330, whichhave requested separate destinations but can have overlapping routes. Inthis example the first and second vehicles are emergency vehicles ontheir way to a first destination 324 and a second destination 334,respectively. The vehicles are operating in the same vicinity 310 andtravelling on roads 314. Each of the vehicles 320, 330 has requested abest route from the central system 70, according to the embodimentsdescribed herein. The central system can send each of the vehicles aroute, a first route 328 for the first vehicle 320, and a second route338 for the second vehicle 330.

Referring to FIG. 5, wherein similar features have the same referencenumerals as in FIG. 3, a traffic control situation 400 is shown when tworequesting vehicles, a first vehicle 320 and a second vehicle 330, haverequested separate destinations, a first destination 324 and a seconddestination 334, respectively. In this situation, the vehicles are inthe same vicinity 410 and the vehicles can take the same route 414 onroads 314. However, the first and the second vehicles are spatiallyapart and do not interfere or intersect with each other. Traffic controlactions are taken to clear the route of traffic as indicated by firstarrows 422 and second arrows 424. In this example the first and secondvehicles are emergency vehicles on their way to the first destination324 and the second destination 334, respectively. Each of the vehicles320, 330 has requested a best route from the central system 70,according to the embodiments described herein. The central system cansend each of the vehicles the route 414, and initiate the trafficcontrol actions 422, 424 to move vehicles 440 from the route 414.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a smart trafficcontrol system. The system and associated method can include a CentralCommand System (CCS) (also referred to as a central system herein) thatcan implement a solution for maneuvering vehicles (e.g., emergencyvehicles) wherein the vehicles flow seamlessly or unobstructed to theirdestination. The central Command System can use, for example, trafficflow analysis or theory, GPS 234 for traffic feedback, and feedback fromthe emergency vehicles and law enforcement personnel.

In one embodiment, a smart traffic control system can include receivinginformation from emergency personnel at a central command system orunit. The information can include the emergency personnel's physicallocation and their desired destination. The central command finds theoptimum route (which is one example can be the least difficult route)from their current location to the destination. The central commandsystem can broadcast the location and direction of emergency vehicles.The central command system can reduce and/or block incoming traffic tothe nearest intersections (e.g., streets that cross those the emergencyvehicles are on/traveling). This enables the traffic to move forward andgive emergency vehicles enough room to go through. The central commandsystem can also force vehicles ahead and on same route of the emergencyvehicles to exit the street that emergency vehicles are travelling.

In another embodiment, the embodiments of the present disclosure canapply to general traffic flow, as well as one or more designatedvehicles. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure canreduce traffic congestion in particular areas creating a more eventraffic flow.

The embodiments of the present disclosure include a central system(e.g., a central command system (CCS)) that uses network theories, GPS,and sensors. A feedback system to the central command system suppliesfeedback (such as traffic patterns) to other priority vehicles in thearea, or to a requesting vehicle, to direct the vehicles to theirdestination. The feedback system can include a network includingreceptors 239, signals, a traffic control system, mobile devices 238,GPS 234, and human feedback. Thus, the CCS can receiverequests/information from emergency vehicles. Based on the obtainedinformation, the CCS analyses end-to-end route of the emergency vehicle(from the start to the desired destination) to find the best route tothe destination, which can include the least amount of time and leasttraffic. In addition, the CCS can monitor the movement and location ofthe emergency vehicle at any given moment by using GPS and sensorsmounted on the vehicles. The CCS can also account for and take evasiveaction if more than one emergency vehicle is approaching a givenintersection at the same time.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the CCS informs theoperator of a requesting vehicle (e.g., emergency vehicle, priorityvehicle) of the best route. In addition to the best route, the deliveredinformation includes the positions and directions of other potentialemergency vehicles in the vicinity.

In another embodiment, the CCS can send signals to the traffic lightcontrol system of all interaction in the route of emergency vehicle suchthat the traffic flow into the route of the emergency vehicle isreduced. For example, making the light green for the requesting vehicle,and red for all other directions. In another example, the affectedtraffic light control system is requested to keep the green light longerfor the path heading to the emergency vehicles' direction and slowingdown any traffic flow into the immediate intersections to be crossed bythe emergency vehicles. In another embodiment, traffic controlinfrastructure may also include traffic control signs (in addition totraffic signals) that can signal and direct traffic away from thedirection of the in-coming emergency vehicles. In one example, suchtraffic control signs can be posted on light poles along a side thestreet. The traffic control signs can proactively ease traffic ahead ofthe emergency vehicles. For example, assume an emergency vehicle istravelling north on First Avenue on a heavily traveled road (e.g., acity environment) and the vehicle is approaching a road running east towest (perpendicular crossing the road running north). The trafficcontrol signs can signal all traffic on First Avenue to make right orleft turns, respectively, as soon as possible. In one example, if thereare designated turning lanes, those lanes can be marked as right/leftturn only via the proposed signs. In one example, violations of thesigns can be captured with traffic cameras for enforcement.

In addition, for example, the CCS can send a broadcast to lawenforcement and traffic officers within a certain range of the emergencyvehicle. The officers and emergency vehicle drivers can, in turn, sendlive feedback to the CCS. The live feedback can be gathered from bodycameras or vehicle mounted cameras, and can be used for routerecalculation.

The CCS may also send a broadcast via a GPS system to drivers andpedestrians as emergency vehicles are approaching them. The drivers mayhave communications system in their vehicles for receiving thebroadcast, such as a computer and display or a GPS device. The driverscan react properly (e.g., avoid priority vehicle) with respect to theapproaching vehicle as they approach each other. The CCS can send thebroadcast after filtering out all subscribers that are not in thevicinity of the emergency vehicles. For example, only subscribers forreceiving such a broadcast and in the vicinity will receive thebroadcast.

The CCS may also send signals to certain interaction traffic controlsystems, law enforcement officials, other emergency drivers, otherdrivers, and communicate to pedestrians (for example, on mobile devicesvia text messaging) informing them that an emergency vehicle is in theirvicinity.

The embodiment of the present disclosure improve efficiency for priorityvehicles (e.g., requesting vehicles or emergency vehicles) to proceedthrough traffic conditions. For example, such improved efficiency isknown to improve chances of saving lives when an emergency vehicle isresponding to a call for help. The embodiments of the present disclosureprovide (end to end) full route management of traffic so that thepriority vehicle can proceed from its current location to itsdestination by the most efficient route based on distance, trafficconditions, and other priority vehicles that can be in the vicinity.

The central system 70 includes a computer system, as shown in FIG. 1.The device 54 of the requesting vehicle can also include a computersystem. The computer system 20 is envisioned as a generic computersystem and exemplary for devices and computer systems of the presentdisclosure. The device 54 can be a mobile device including a GPS device.The central system 70 can be a computer system or device which is partof a service which accesses a communications network (e.g., theInternet). A vehicle routing software application 72 embodying themethod of the present disclosure can be stored as a program 22 on a datastorage device 24 and run by a processor 28 and can be a separateapplication as shown in FIG. 1, and alternatively can be part (orintegral with) another application, e.g., a GPS system. The method 100can be implemented using the vehicle routing software application 72shown in FIG. 1. The method can also be provided as a service which canbe remote, for instance, including an application residing on a remoteserver exemplified by remote server 90, which can be accessible usingthe Internet or a network. A requesting vehicle 50 can also include acomputer system of a device 54 exemplified as the computer system 20.The device 54 can include a client version of the vehicle routingsoftware application 73.

More specifically referring to the computer system 20 shown in FIG. 1,in one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the method 100may be embodied in a program 22 embodied on a computer readable storagedevice, e.g., data storage device 24. The program 22 is executable by aprocessor 28 of a computer system 20 (to execute program steps, code, orprogram code). Additional data storage may also be embodied as adatabase 40 including data 44. The program or executable instructionsmay be offered as a service by a provider. The computer 20 and program22 shown in FIG. 1 are generic representations of a computer and programthat may be local to a user, or provided as a remote service, such aswebsite accessible using a network (e.g., interacting with the Internetor cloud services). It is understood that the computer 20 alsogenerically represents herein a computer device or a computer includedin a device, such as a laptop or desktop computer, etc., or one or moreservers, alone or as part of a datacenter. The computer system 20 caninclude a network interface 32, and input/output (I/O) interface(s) 34.The I/O interface 34 allows for input and output of data with anexternal device 36 that may be connected to the computer system. Thenetwork interface 32 may provide communications between the computersystem and a computer network. The method steps and system componentsand techniques may be embodied in modules of the program 22 forperforming the tasks of each of the steps of the method and system,which are generically represented in FIG. 1 as program modules 26. Theprogram 22 and program modules 26 can execute specific steps, routines,sub-routines, instructions or code, of the program. The method of thepresent disclosure can be run locally on a device such as the mobiledevice, or can be run a service, for instance, on a remote server 90which is accessed using the communications network 60.

It is understood that a computer or a program running on the computermay communicate with a server computer via a communications network. Thecommunications network may include transmission media and network linkswhich include, for example, wireless, wired, or optical fiber, androuters, firewalls, switches, and gateway computers. The communicationsnetwork may include connections, such as wire, wireless communicationlinks, or fiber optic cables. A communications network may represent aworldwide collection of networks and gateways, such as the Internet,that use various protocols to communicate with one another, such asLightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Transport ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Hypertext Transport Protocol(HTTP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), etc. A network may alsoinclude a number of different types of networks, such as, for example,an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for vehiculartraffic control and vehicle routing, comprising: receiving a request fora best route, at a central system, the request including a currentlocation and a destination from a requesting vehicle; determining travelfactors from the current location to the destination, the travel factorsincluding road availability, traffic conditions, and real time feedbackof traffic conditions, using the central system in response to receivingthe request; determining the best route for the requesting vehicle fromthe current location to the destination based on the travel factors andthe real time feedback of the traffic conditions, wherein the real timefeedback includes using live feedback from a mounted camera on therequesting vehicle; sending the best route from the central system tothe requesting vehicle; and initiating a plurality of traffic controlactions along the route for the requesting vehicle, the traffic controlactions being initiated along the route simultaneously and in concertwith the requesting vehicle to clear the best route for the requestingvehicle to travel unobstructed to the destination.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: initiating one or more traffic controlsigns in addition to a traffic signal to initiate the traffic controlactions for requiring vehicles along the route to move in a prescribeddirection, or to slow down, or to stop, and the traffic control signsbeing responsive to the central system.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: initiating one or more traffic control signs inaddition to a traffic signal to initiate the traffic control actions forsignaling vehicles to exit a road, or for the vehicles to take analternate route, and the traffic control signs being responsive to thecentral system.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingmultiple requests for respective routes, each of the requests includingthe current location and the destination from respective multiplerequesting vehicles; determining the route for each of the requestingvehicles based on the travel factors; and initiating the plurality oftraffic control actions along each of the routes for the respectiverequesting vehicles.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the best routeincludes an evasive action, the evasive action including avoiding atraffic issue to provide the route to the destination.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the evasive action is in response to multiplerequesting vehicles approaching each other.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the requesting vehicle is part of a group of vehicles.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the requesting vehicle is an emergencyvehicle, and the command center alerts other emergency vehicles.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the traffic control action includes one ormore of: determining a traffic signal, and requiring vehicles to exit aroad.